by Howard Megdal, USA TODAY Sports

by Howard Megdal, USA TODAY Sports

Just wanted to weigh in on Bob Costas' comments following that wonderful 4-3 comeback victory for the New Mets against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Here's what Costas said about the celebration:

I have a great deal of respect for Costas and his work. And I also think taking his comments too literally is a mistake. But Costas pretty obviously thinks there's some threshold for a team to reach before delirious celebration is appropriate. And I think that's ridiculous.

These Mets aren't playing beneath their capabilities. This is the team assembled. Someday, the Mets are going to be better than they are in 2013. And when that happens, it won't be with close to the same 25-man roster they have now. Honestly, do you really think Kirk Nieuwenhuis will get important at-bats on the next contending Mets team?

Accordingly, enjoying what few pleasurable moments exist in a 90-to-100-loss season is advisable. It's right for the players; it's right for the fans. No one mistook salvaging a game from the Cubs as an indicator of something greater, just as few had any illusions after the Mets swept the Yankees.

And more to the point, I don't remotely understand what the suppression of joy is supposed to accomplish. Really, is the pile at home plate at Citi Field on Sunday going to cheapen it when the Mets eventually win another World Series? I don't get it.

So good for the Mets, good for Nieuwenhuis, good for the loyal fans still at the game in the ninth inning. Many of my favorite memories, growing up a Mets fan, happened with teams 14 games under .500, or worse. When Todd Hundley set the record for home runs by a catcher. When Anthony Young broke his 27-game losing streak. When Mo Vaughn homered off of the Shea Stadium scoreboard to beat David Wells and the Yankees.

I'm pretty sure the decline of Western Civilization will involve disappearing joy, not too much of it.